ముందు ఆకు వేయించుకుంటే, తరువాత ఎప్పుడైనా తినవచ్చు
mundu aku veyinchukunte, taruvata eppudaina tinavachchu
If you get the leaf laid out first, you can eat whenever you want later.
In the context of traditional Indian dining where food is served on a leaf, this expression emphasizes the importance of securing your place or opportunity first. It is used to suggest that one should prioritize claiming a right, seat, or fundamental requirement, after which the actual task can be completed at one's own pace.
Related Phrases
చేతులు కాలిన తర్వాత ఆకులు పట్టుకున్నట్లు
chetulu kalina tarvata akulu pattukunnatlu
Like trying to hold onto leaves after the hands are burnt.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes precautions or looks for a solution after the damage is already done. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted' or 'crying over spilled milk.' It emphasizes that actions taken too late are futile.
కచ్చల్లో కందులు వేయించినట్లు
kachchallo kandulu veyinchinatlu
Like roasting pigeon peas in the loincloth.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is causing extreme discomfort, irritation, or restlessness to another person. It refers to a metaphorical state of being extremely bothered or being put in a very tight, prickly situation where one cannot sit still or remain calm.
ఇల్లు విడిచిన తరువాత ఇల్లాలవుతుందా
illu vidichina taruvata illalavutunda
Will she become a housewife after leaving the house?
This proverb is used to emphasize that one's true role, identity, or duty is tied to their presence and responsibility in a specific place or context. Once you abandon your post or responsibility, you lose the status or title associated with it. It is often used to criticize someone who expects the benefits of a position without fulfilling the duties.
బ్రతికుంటే బలుసాకు తినవచ్చు.
bratikunte balusaku tinavachchu.
If alive, one can subsist even on leaves.
To achieve anything in life, to be alive is important. One should therefore make all efforts to survive and endeavor to reach the goals set for oneself.
అన్నీ అయిన తరువాత అగ్నివైద్యం
anni ayina taruvata agnivaidyam
Administering fire treatment after everything is over.
This expression describes taking drastic or corrective measures after it is already too late to save the situation. It is similar to the English idiom 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted' or performing a post-mortem instead of providing a cure.
అరవై ఏళ్ళు వచ్చిన తరువాత అన్నంభట్లు అటక ఎక్కాడట
aravai ellu vachchina taruvata annambhatlu ataka ekkadata
They say Annambhatlu climbed onto the loft after turning sixty years old.
This proverb is used to describe someone who attempts to start a new venture, learn a new skill, or take up a major responsibility at a very late stage in life when they are no longer physically or mentally fit for it. It highlights the irony of delayed action or performing a task when its relevance or the person's capability has passed.
అన్నీ అమర్చిన తరువాత అత్తగారు వేలు పెట్టినట్లు.
anni amarchina taruvata attagaru velu pettinatlu.
Like the mother-in-law sticking her finger in after everything has been arranged.
This expression is used to describe someone who finds unnecessary faults or makes minor, annoying changes to something that is already perfect or complete. It highlights a tendency to interfere or nitpick just to assert authority or feel important, even when no help is needed.
చేసుకున్న తరువాత వండిపెట్టక తప్పతుందా
chesukunna taruvata vandipettaka tappatunda
After getting married, is there any way out of cooking and serving?
This expression is used to signify that once you have committed to a responsibility or entered into a situation of your own choice, you must fulfill the duties that come with it, no matter how difficult or tedious they are. It emphasizes accepting the inevitable consequences of one's decisions.
కుప్ప తగలబెట్టి పేలాలు వేయించుకుని తినేవాడు
kuppa tagalabetti pelalu veyinchukuni tinevadu
A man who sets fire to the whole heap and begins to eat parched grain. The work of a fool.
This expression describes a person who causes a massive loss to someone else or to society for a very small, trivial personal gain. It highlights extreme selfishness and a lack of proportion.
చీరపేల బొంత ఎప్పుడైనా కాలవలసిందే
chirapela bonta eppudaina kalavalasinde
A quilt made of old saree scraps is destined to be burnt eventually.
This proverb suggests that things made of low-quality materials or temporary fixes have a limited lifespan and will inevitably wear out or be discarded. It is used to describe situations where someone relies on weak or outdated resources, implying that the outcome is predictable and unavoidable.